George Weston (TSE:WN) Stock Crosses Above 200 Day Moving Average of $199.01

George Weston Limited (TSE:WN - Get Free Report) shares crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$199.01 and traded as high as C$226.89. George Weston shares last traded at C$225.16, with a volume of 114,331 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently issued reports on WN shares. CIBC raised their target price on shares of George Weston from C$235.00 to C$254.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Desjardins upped their target price on George Weston from C$212.00 to C$232.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. TD Securities decreased their price target on George Weston from C$246.00 to C$242.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on George Weston from C$196.00 to C$220.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of C$229.67.

George Weston Price Performance

The company has a market cap of C$29.75 billion, a PE ratio of 25.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.42. The business's 50 day moving average price is C$217.46 and its 200-day moving average price is C$199.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 171.94.

George Weston (TSE:WN - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported C$2.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$14.09 billion for the quarter. George Weston had a return on equity of 17.52% and a net margin of 2.06%. As a group, analysts forecast that George Weston Limited will post 13.0828367 earnings per share for the current year.

George Weston Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Sunday, September 15th will be paid a $0.82 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.46%. George Weston's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.90%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Senior Officer Richard Dufresne sold 4,400 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$226.89, for a total value of C$998,326.12. In other news, Senior Officer Rashid Wasti sold 150 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$222.51, for a total transaction of C$33,376.50. Also, Senior Officer Richard Dufresne sold 4,400 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$226.89, for a total value of C$998,326.12. Over the last three months, insiders bought 8,400 shares of company stock worth $180,778 and sold 20,854 shares worth $4,596,828. Insiders own 59.12% of the company's stock.

About George Weston

George Weston Limited provides food and drug retailing, and financial services in Canada. The company operates through two segments, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) and Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (Choice Properties). The Loblaw segment provides grocery, pharmacy and healthcare services, health and beauty products, apparel, general merchandise, and financial services.